Abai Schulze

About Abai Schulze

As the Founder and Creative Director of ZAAF, I have been leading an artisanal brand that…

Experience

1. Founder & Creative Director

   Zaaf Collection

   Feb 2014 — Present · Addis Ababa, ET

   ZAAF, founded by Abai Schulze, is an artisanal brand that has been recognized globally– from the runways at New York Fashion week, to being featured in Vogue, Elle, CNN, and Forbes, receiving the UNESCO Tremplin Prize for Entrepreneurship.ZAAF was established with the goal of creating economic empowerment for African artisans and a new perspective on global luxury. Our vision is to focus on the continent’s strengths and amazing cultural richness by designing beautiful products to the highest standards of quality. We believe this is most sustainable approach to effective economic development. ZAAF currently operates a flagship store at National Harbor, Maryland, and its showroom and proprietary manufacturing facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our manufacturing footprint reaches out all over the African continent, developing long-term growth opportunities and partnering with skilled artisans to scale our social impact.ZAAF works with artisanal communities that specialize in various traditions of craftsmanship, bringing together ancient skills, combinations of unusual indigenous materials, and leading edge designs and quality standards. An essential element of Africa’s future lies in cultivating and nurturing skills that its people already possess. ZAAF’s driving mission is to create a platform for African artisanal world-class products that showcases and preserves these talents. GET IN TOUCH WITH US: Ethiopia Contact No:+25••••••••99USA Contact No:(90••••••61E-Mail: a•••@ZAAFCOLLECTION.COMVisit our online store for more information: the latest updates on ZAAF, follow us on social media: Twitter:@zaaf_collectionInstagram: zaafcollectionFacebook: ZAAF

Skills

• Financial Modeling
• Financial Analysis
• Research
• Access
• Investments
• International Development
• Economics
• Nonprofits
• Emerging Markets
• Qualitative Research
• Public Policy
• Data Analysis
• Business Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Capacity Building
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership
• International Relations